What happened there? Our KHO members tell us about a snapshot before the concert – this time with with principal cellist Friedemann Ludwig and concentration between cases.

This is what it looks like when we're on tour—lots of boxes and cases. They're often right behind the stage, but sometimes we have to do go find where exactly everything is. Every venue is a little different. But our cello cases are hard to miss and are always kept together. In addition to our instruments, they also contain our concert clothes and personal accessories.  All large instruments travel ahead of us by truck. By the time we arrive, the cellos have already acclimatized to the venue.

(Laughs.) There are several variations. It depends not only on the environment, but also on what the programme requires of me.

Among us musicians, as everywhere else, there are different types: some need less time alone to be at peace with themselves , others more. Some like to retreat into their own space during their free time. As an orchestra musician, however, you have to like being around a lot of people up to a certain degree. It's a balance, knowing what you need most at any given moment. The ability to switch off sometimes in order to find peace and quiet to be in the best shape for the concert in the evening is definitely important.

It's no different on stage, by the way: if I have a big solo in a piece and have been playing with the group the whole time before that, I also have to flip that switch. But that's something you learn.

KHO concert with conductor Stephanie Childress in October 2024. Photo: Markus Werner

I used to be much more restless when my instrument wasn't right there, which is sometimes the case depending on the travel situation. I just really like to have my cello with me whenever possible. I also like to prepare thoroughly. That's why it's not enough for me to be able to pick it up just half an hour before the rehearsal. A tour is not a vacation; you are preoccupied with the evening's performance the whole time anyway. Ideally, it goes like this: travel, eat, rest, warm up, collect yourself and build up tension, then 5 minutes of quiet at the end – that's when our principal clarinetist Ralf Forster caught me on camera. Then I am free and the music can begin.

Surrounded by the cello section with Artist in Residence Sheku Kanneh Mason (rehearsal for the ensemble concert in January 2025.) Photo: Simon Pauly